History

The Centre's administrative operations are funded in part through the generosity of a bequest to McGill University by Major James Henry Brace. A Civil Engineer, Major Brace devoted much of his career to water and construction projects in the US and Canada. He dreamed that through research, a way might be found to bring large quantities of water to arid lands for food production and rural development. The Centre is therefore named in honour of James Henry Brace, to recognize his generosity to McGill, and his vision for a better quality of life by providing water and food in rural communities.